Symphosius The Aenigmata
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Symphosius The Aenigmata
The post-classical compilation known to modern scholarship as the Latin Anthology contains a collection of a hundred riddles, each consisting of three hexameters and preceded by a lemma. It would seem from the preface to this collection that they were composed extempore at a dinner to celebrate the Roman Saturnalia. The work was to have a defining influence on later collections of riddles; yet its title (probably the Aenigmata) has been debated, and almost nothing is known about its author: questions have even been asked about his name (Symphosius?) and date (4th-5th centuruy AD?). In this edition of the riddles, the Introducion discusses the work's title and its author's identity: as well as his name and date, it considers his national origin (North African?) and intellectual background (a professional grammarian?), and argues that he was not Christian, as has been suggested. It examines the Saturnalian background to the work, setting it in its sociological context, and discusses the author's literary debts – especially to Martial. The Introduction also explores the author's ordering and arrangement of the riddles, discusses his literary style, Latinity and metre, and comments briefly on his Nachleben. It concludes with a survey of the textual tradition. The commentary on each riddle includes a translation, general notes on the object it describes (with reference, as necessary, to museums and artefacts), and discussion of how it fits into the ordering of the collection, of variant readings and, with suitable illustration, of literary, stylistic and metrical considerations. Other areas, such as history and mythology, are also covered where relevant.
Symphosius, the Aenigmata
The post-classical compilation known to modern scholarship as the Latin Anthology contains a collection of a hundred riddles, each consisting of three hexameters and preceded by a lemma . It would seem from the preface to this collection that they were composed extempore at a dinner to celebrate the Roman Saturnalia. The work was to have a defining influence on later collections of riddles; yet its title (probably the Aenigmata) has been debated, and almost nothing is known about its author: questions have even been asked about his name (Symphosius?) and date (4th-5th centuruy AD?). In this e.
The Delphic Oracle
Author: Joseph Fontenrose
language: en
Publisher: Univ of California Press
Release Date: 2023-07-28
The Delphic Oracle: Its Responses and Operations with a Catalogue of Responses explores the enigmatic and storied institution of the Delphic Oracle, separating historical reality from myth and modern misconceptions. The book offers a comprehensive examination of all recorded responses attributed to the Oracle, whether historical, legendary, or fictional, presenting a nuanced understanding of its operations. Over a thousand years, the Oracle served as a center of spiritual and political guidance in ancient Greece. Contrary to popular myths about intoxicating vapors and frenzied prophecies, the author argues that the Pythia delivered clear, coherent responses directly to the consultants, grounded in tradition rather than supernatural phenomena. This volume challenges enduring beliefs and misconceptions, including the portrayal of ambiguous riddles and mystical rituals that have dominated modern interpretations. It meticulously categorizes responses into historical, quasi-historical, legendary, and fictional, drawing on both ancient texts and modern archaeological findings. The analysis sheds light on how oracles functioned within their cultural context and how their narratives evolved over time. With a rich catalogue of responses and a critical approach, the book provides an invaluable resource for understanding one of the ancient world’s most iconic institutions. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1978.